Eye lining method



Sept. 26, 1967 G. w. STEFFEN EYE LINING METHOD ,Filed Nov. l2. 1964.

INVENTOR GLENN W. STEFFEN BY jndrus Star'l@ 'fnuavs United States Patent O 3,343,552 EYE LINING METHOD Glenn W. Steffen, 16015 W. Mark Drive, New Berlin, Wis. 53151 Filed Nov. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 410,431 1 Claim. (Cl. 132--88.7)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An eye lining device having a handle and a curved applicator to which lining material is applied. The curvature of the applicator complements the curvature of an eye lid. After lining material is applied to the applicator, it is brought into contact with the lashes and slid inwardly therealong until contact with the eye -lid is made.

This invention relates to a method for applying eye liner material to the eye lid in a single stroke.

Heretofore, Women, actors and others who wished to apply a colored eye liner material to their eye lids have had to resort to a pointed applicator such as a pencil or brush. The point was drawn along the lids at the base of the eye lashes. Since a pointed object was in effect aimed at the eyeball, and since considerable pressure was usually necessary for the liner material to be applied, the eye would usually involuntarily blink or remain closed. Trying to get a proper line along the lid was at best a difficult and time-consuming job, since one could only observe oneself in a mirror with the remaining eye, which itself would not usually remain fully open. In addition, the hand would often block the users vision.

The present invention is based on a simple, yet effective device which eliminates the pointed applicator and its related problems and which permits instant application of eye liner with both eyes open.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the eye lining device ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing eye liner material being applied to the device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first step in the preferred method of utilizing the device;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the final application of the liner material to the eye lid;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG 3 and showing the application of liner material beyond the outer edge of the eye; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the eye lining device.

As shown in FIGS. l5 of the drawing, the device of the invention comprises a handle 1 of suitable length and shape (here elongated) -for grasping by the hand of a person who wishes to apply eye liner. Suitable eye lining means 2 extends from one end of handle 1 and in this instance comprises a member of light-weight wire-like metal or of other suitable rigid non-porous material. This member comprises a straight shank end 3 secured to handle 1, and which merges into an applicator bar 4 of elongated concave curved configuration. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, applicator 4 is of lesser length than the width of the normal eye lid 5 so that, when applied to the lid, it will not project into the inner tear duct area 6 adjacent the nose. In addition, the concave curvature of applicator 4 is formed to match or complement the convex curvature of the normal eye lid 5.

In using the device, eye liner material of any color is first applied to applicator `4 by any suitable means, as by a rod 7 normally stored in a bottle of liner fluid. The aplicator with liner applied thereto is then grasped as shown and applied in a single stroke to lid 5. It is preferable that applicator 4 be initially positioned transversely of the face and then moved toward the eye slowly until it first engages the upper eye lashes 8 midway of their ends (outwardly of their root connection with lid 5), as shown in FIG. 3. Once this contact is made, the applicator may be slid inwardly along the supporting lashes until it engages lid 5 at the lash roots, as. shown in FIG. 4. It has been found that this method of applying the liner makes it possible to keep both eyes open for viewing the operation in a mirror. In addition, the base portions of the lashes receive some of the coloring, which complements the liner line 9 (FIG. 5) which has been formed by a single stroke of the device. A single, uniform line is thus created.

During application of liner material, the hand never interferes with vision from either eye, because handle 1 is offset from applicator 4 due to the fact that it extends in the same longitudinal direction as the general arcuate extent of aplicator 4. It has been found that eyeglasses need not -be removed, only lowered slightly on the nose, during use of the device.

If desired, the back of applicator 4 may be used to touch up the lid, or to add doe lines 10 extending from the outer corner of the eye, as shown in FIG. 5.

Applicator 4 may be of any suitable gauge, depending upon the width of the line desired on the eye lid. A gauge of approximately 1/16" has been found adequate to produce an eye liner line. Gauges that art too large will not fit the eye lid properly and only tend to smear liner material into the eye itself.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the device wherein the handle 11 and eye lining means 12 are of unitary molded construction. In this instance, the applicator bar forms a concave edge 13 which is applied to the eye lid.

The method of the invention is simple and yet exceedingly effective for quickly and neatly applying a line of material to the eye lid. The construction is of the device for utilizing the method such that only a very light pressure on the lid will transfer liquid eye liner material thereto. A job which was previously unpleasant and time consuming has now become relatively pleasant and quick.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claim particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

A method of applying eye liner material to an eye lid, comprising:

(a) applying eye liner material to a rigid elongated curved applicator member,

(b) first bringing said applicator member with said material thereon into contact with the eye lashes outwardly of their roots,

(c) and then sliding said member inwardly along said lashes in a single stroke until the concave portion of the curved member engages the eye lid at the roots of said lashes so that said liner material is applied to the lid in a single uniform line.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,666,116 4/1928 Bunnell 132-79 1,905,399 4/1933 Wagner 15-l 60 2,136,779 1l/l938 Bednar 132-31 2,148,736 2/1939 Engel 132-79 2,834,356 5/ 1958 Weiler 132-88.7

(Other references on following page) 3 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain. Great Britain. Italy.

Italy. Switzerland.

The Lawton Co. Inc. catalog 1957 page 258 items 60 L-1150 and 60 L-1156.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

G. E. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner. 

